Israel’s former spy chief slams Netanyahu over Philadelphi Corridor

The former head of Israel’s security agency, Shin Bet, has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of exaggerating the importance of maintaining control of the Philadelphi Corridor, the buffer zone between Gaza and Egypt.

“There is no connection between the weaponry found in Gaza and the Philadelphi Corridor,” Nadav Argaman told Israel’s Channel 12 news. 

Argaman, who headed the Shin Bet between 2016 and 2021, said the majority of weapons entered Gaza through the Rafah border crossing.

“When Netanyahu speaks of remaining on the Philadelphi Corridor, he knows very well that no smuggling takes place over the Philadelphi Corridor. So we are now relegated to living with this imaginary figment,” he said.

Hamas has firmly rejected Israeli demands on maintaining a military presence in the buffer zone, while Netanyahu has insisted that under a truce agreement, there would be no Israeli withdrawal.

Argaman said Netanyahu's position was only intended to keep his government in power.